MISTLETOE THERAPY

In Europe, mistletoe (Viscum Album) is the most commonly used complementary therapy in cancer care and is integrated into conventional cancer treatments. Mistletoe therapy has been developed since 1917 and forms the backbone of medical care for cancer patients in anthroposophic medicine and at Park Attwood. In the UK this therapy is also available via the Homoeopathic Hospitals. There are several consultant-led clinics and hospitals in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and The Netherlands that specialise in this therapy *.

About 300 cancer patients a year attend Park Attwood for supportive care and treatment, either as out-patients or combined with in-patient care. Clinical Director Dr Maurice Orange has 20 years experience of working with mistletoe therapy and there is an active exchange and collaboration with European colleagues and centres.

Mistletoe preparations are usually used in addition to conventional cancer therapies. They improve and strengthen the natural defenses of the body through their effect on the immune system. Improving our immune competence increases wellbeing in body and in spirit and helps us cope with the side-effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Mistletoe therapy can help in dealing with symptoms like fatigue, nausea, digestive problems and weight loss, sleeplessness, low mood, recurring infections and pain. The majority of trials show improvement of quality of life and overall outcomes. Although mistletoe is widely used and there is a growing body of supportive evidence, the merits are not widely accepted and many doctors find the available evidence insufficiently robust. A recent and thorough review concludes that there is consistent evidence of improvement of quality of life with mistletoe therapy, and reduction of side -effects of conventional treatment*. Further information and research is available on request from Park Attwood as well as on the website www.mistel-therapie.de (both German/English).

Mistletoe is harvested from different trees and every type has a different indication for use. Patients will receive individual advice on their mistletoe therapy, and which application will suit them best. The mistletoe extract is usually given as a subcutaneous injection and once the treatment is established, patients continue to self-administer the treatment at home. Mistletoe therapy has a good safety record and can be combined with chemo- and radiotherapy. Depending on the starting dose, common signs of immune stimulation by mistletoe can include a little light-headedness or feeling of weariness, mild flu-like symptoms, and a slight reddening of the skin at the site of the injection. Mistletoe can also be given in high doses, to give a robust stimulation of the immune system; this will lead to more marked flu-like symptoms, including fever. These signs are not harmful and all settle down. The doctors at Park Attwood usually recommend the use of mistletoe therapy in conjunction with conventional treatments, not as an alternative, depending on and respecting the individual patients choice.

* To name a few: the Lukas Clinic (Arlesheim, near Basle) and Paracelsus Spital (Zurich) in Switzerland; in Germany the Havelhoehe Hospital (Berlin) and Oeschelbronn Hospital (near Pforzheim) and Paracelsus Hospital (Bad Liebenzell).

** Kienle G, Kiene H (2007) in: European Journal of Medical Research; 12; 103-119. Complementary Cancer Therapy: a Systematic Review of Prospective Clinical Trials on Anthroposophic Mistletoe Extracts.

"Illness brings enforced change to the individual. In my case, developing cancer, although obviously unwelcome, has brought with it the potential for growth. I have tried to approach my own situation in as open-minded a way as I can and from a variety of angles. Park Attwood has been a crucial part of the whole, providing help through anthroposophic medicine, including mistletoe therapy, of which I am sure much more will be heard over the coming years, and a variety of therapies. However it has done much more than that in terms of helping me to make decisions about changes I wanted to make. Growth is an ongoing process, and although my future remains as uncertain as anyone else's, I am sure that Park Attwood will continue to help me find my way."